A neutral checklist for procurement, accessibility and digital teams comparing PDF accessibility remediation vendors.
For buyers who need to compare automated, manual and hybrid PDF remediation options.
Ask vendors to show source complexity, not only polished output claims.
Require evidence for reading order, tables, alt text, metadata and certificate verification.
Test the hardest PDF first.
Start with document type fit
A vendor that performs well on simple PDFs may struggle with maps, catalogues, tables or forms. Ask for examples that match your real document library.
Plain text reports.
Forms and applications.
Tables and financial reports.
Maps, charts and diagrams.
Product catalogues and marketing layouts.
Scanned or partially scanned documents.
Ask how proof works
The strongest remediation vendors explain what was checked and what the certificate or report means. Avoid treating a pass badge as enough unless you understand the checks behind it.
Ask about review paths
Automation is valuable, but some high-risk documents should have an expert review path. The question is where human review is needed, not whether every page should be manual.
Vendor evaluation checklist
Can we test our hardest PDF first?
Do you handle catalogues, maps, tables and long reports?
Do you generate meaningful image descriptions?
Do you preserve visible layout and PDF appearance?
Do you provide validation evidence or certificates?
Do you offer a review path for high-risk documents?
How is document data stored, processed and deleted?
What happens when a document fails remediation?
Frequently asked questions
Should buyers choose manual or automated remediation?
It depends on scale and risk. Automated remediation is usually best for high-volume backlog reduction. Manual or expert review is useful for unusual, legal or high-impact documents.
What is the biggest red flag?
A vendor that cannot show how it handles complex source documents. Proof should begin with the hard page, not only the certificate.